Posts: 220
Joined: 10/21/2003 From: perris,
CA, USA Status: offline
Okay, I am not a builder, however I have a friend that is. I have a plans, and short kit for the Art Johnson p-38 for a while, and now it is time to get it built. I am planning a full house set up, fowler flaps, drop tanks, gear doors, glassed and painted with panel lines etc.. So far equipment that I would like to use is the century jet retracts, I am thinking 2 OS .91 2 stroke for simlicity, Lithium ion battery, using all hi torque micro servo's. robart hinges, etc.. I am open to suggestions from people that have built this plane before. I will upload pictures as I get them as this will probably be a long build.
We are making some modifications to make transport easier, we are keeping the separating horizontal stab, as well as adding a wing tube so the wing tips can come off as well.
< Message edited by brentp76 -- 12/24/2006 9:57:52 PM >
Posts: 220
Joined: 10/21/2003 From: perris,
CA, USA Status: offline
Not exactly sure as I am adding all the scale details, fowler flaps, drop tanks (which don't have to be on for flight), glassing, twin sync for motors, cockpit, etc.. I am planning on using a fromeco 2400 li-ion battery and reg so that should save me some weight, I am also planning on using mini servos all around to save weight. I am using os .91's which are 1 oz lighter than the .61's, which I am sure is lighter than the blackheads that AJ used on the original. My hope and goal is to come in at 15-16 lbs.. If I keep everything light I should be able to do it..
Posts: 655
Joined: 4/29/2003 From: Dunlap,
IL, USA Status: offline
For us relatively new to the hobby, could you give some specs on this plane? Also, where do the plans come from? Unfortunately, the name Art Johnson doesn't mean anything to me.
Posts: 220
Joined: 10/21/2003 From: perris,
CA, USA Status: offline
Colonel Art Johnson is the person that drew these plans up in the 60's. He was a very accomplished scale builder. When he made these plans up the original plane that he made came in at an amazing 13#, It has a very thick airfoil at the root, and flies beautifully. The plane has a 94" wing span and approximately 62" in length, and AJ powered his with 2 os 61 blackheads. I purchaced the plans off of ebay about 2 years ago, and happened to come across a short kit for it recently. I have seen some plans availiable recently on ebay, they do not state the are the AJ plans, but to the best of my knowledge in looking at the pictures online, it seems that this is the same set of plans.
Posts: 157
Joined: 12/30/2004 From: Scottsdale,
AZ, USA Status: offline
BrentP,
Good to see you building this Art Johnson P-38. I too, have the plans and the short kit. I have read many articles on the various P-38 models that one can build and the Art Johnson's version seems to have all the right qualities for a good flying airplane. I am planning the fowler flaps also. It can be done despite Art's disbelieving. After looking through the plans, and reading the article in Model Aviation (June 1978) I am still trying to figure out his gear door arrangement. Brent, Have you figured out the turbo chargers? If so I'd like to know how you plan to build them and add them into the pods. There is no mention or drawing for them on the plans. Also, will you be using the bellcrank arrangement or multiple servos. Art's Rudders & nose wheel arrangement is amazing. One servo & bellcranks for two rudders and a nose wheel. Never the less, according to Art at 13 lbs. "it floats on landing". I was also considering a reverse rotation .61 engine that I'm about to test. I just don't know how he got the plane built at 13 lbs. I guess it can be done. The KMP Arf is built around 13lbs. also.
Best of luck on this one Brent. I'd like to see the results as you progress.
Gerry
< Message edited by sledge_78 -- 1/29/2007 1:05:04 AM >
Printable Version
All Forums >> RC Airplanes >> Scratch Building, Aircraft Design, 3D/CAD >> Art Johnson p-38 build 
Art Johnson p-38 build - 
